Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Special Issuances
AME Assisted - All Classes
Arthritis
AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI) is a process that provides Examiners the ability to re-issue an airman medical
certificate under the provisions of an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) to
an applicant who has a medical condition that is disqualifying under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations(14 CFR) part 67.
An FAA physician provides the initial certification decision and grants the Authorization in accordance with 14 CFR ยง 67.401. The Authorization letter is accompanied by attachments that specify the information that treating physician(s) must provide for the re-issuance determination. If this is a first time issuance of an Authorization for the above disease/condition, and the applicant has all of the requisite medical information necessary for a determination, the Examiner must defer and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or RFS for the initial determination.
Examiners may re-issue an airman medical certificate under the provisions of an Authorization, if the applicant provides the following:
- An Authorization granted by the FAA;
- The type of arthritis;
- A general assessment of condition and effect on daily activities;
- The name and dosage of medication(s) used for treatment and/or prevention with comment regarding side effects; and
- Comments regarding range of motion of neck, upper and lower extremities, hands, etc.
- The applicant has developed any associated systemic manifestations;
- If new joints become involved; or
- If the applicant is placed on medication(s) other than those acceptable medications listed below.
| Requires Deferral | May Be Used |
|---|---|
| Plaquenil | Aspirin |
| Oral Chemotherapy - type medications Methotrexate, steroids >20mg of Prednisone equivalent daily, or Gold Therapy |
Similar nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), Ibuprofen, and Naproxen |
